Twin gun mount for submarines



Nov. 11, 1930. H. E. GRIESHABER 1,731,175

TWIN GUN MOUNT FOR SUBMARINES Filed Sept. 4, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l 174 4905. fim'as/zabe/f Nov. 11, 1930. H. E. GRIESHABER TWIN GUN MOUNT FOR SUBMARINES Filed Sept. 4, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. ll, 1939 nueo E. GRIESi-IABE-R, oansw Lennon, ooniinc'rrou'r, ASSIGNOR r0 ELECTRIC BOAT CQMTPATIY, or eao'rou, connncrrour, A CORPORATION or NEW JERSEY Twin eon arounr roe suBMAnIuEs Application filed. September 4, 1928.

My invention relates to gun mounts, and more particularly to gun mounts especiall y adapted for submarine boats.

t is known, broadly, to mount a pairpi guns at opposite sides of an axis about wh1ch the guns turn, thus providing a twin gun mount in which the recoil of each gun is coun-' teracted by the recoil of the other gun, which avoids any tendency of the guns to turn upon the gun mount when fired. I have found theta gun mount of this character can be so constructed as to permit ammunition for the gunsto be p ssed from a compartment to the guns, by suitably constructing the spindle shout the axis or" which the guns turn. By providing a tubular spindle and an ammunition tubeeXtending through the same and having suitable closure members, the gun mo ut thus produced is very eilicient for use on subn'iarine boats. In its broader aspects my invention comprohends a gun carriage mounted for turning movement about the axis of a suitably supported spindle, thls spindle opening into a compartment from which ammunition is passed through the spindle, the gun .arriage having an opening and adapted for removal of animufroin the compartment to thegun station for 1 in the gun. Further ob ects and of inv invention will appear from ailed desciiption. be c rawings:

l is a. plan view'ot' a gun mount conltd in accordance with my invention, as ap lied;

2 is an elevation of the gun mount, the hull of the submarine, together with the super-structure, bridge and associated parts being shown fragnientarilyand in section; v

F' 3 is a central vertical sectional view through the gun mount and associated parts, parts being broken away and parts being shown in elevation; and

Fig. 4; is-a section taken substantially on line 4-4, oi'Fig. 3.

I have illustrated my gun mount as apphed Serial No. 303,705.

to a submarine boat- B comprising a hull 1, a superstructure 2, a bridge 3 and a gun platform extending forward from the bridge. Access is had to the bridge, from compartment 5 oi the hull, through a hatch 6, hatch trunk 7 having a hatch opening at its upper end, and associated ladders 8 and 9. Suitable covers 10 and 11 are provided for closing the hatch opening 6 and the hatch opening o f the trunk 7. The construction of the bridge gun platform 4 and associated parts is substantially similar to that disclosed in my cop'ending application for bridge support for submarines, filed April 4, 1928, Serial No. 26?,2 ll, and neednotbe further illustrated nor described indetail herein.

A gun foundation 12 is suitably secured to the upper portion or main deck of hull 1. This foundation is of substantially frustoconicalshape andisprovided, at its upper end, with a head'13 of channel cross-sect-ion' having an inner depending sleeve 14. This sleeve is disposed in alignment with a combined bearing and stufling box structure comprisinga sleeve 15 which registers with an opening through the-main deck ofhull 1, this sleeve havinga base flange 16 which is riveted or otherwisesuitably secured to the hull. The sleeve lfiis-provided, at its upper end, with a reduced portion forming a collar 17 which is coaxial with sleeve la. The enlarged portion of sleeve 15 -lo1111s a packing gland whiohreceives a suitable packing material 18-which. is compressed by means of a follower 19 which fits snugly into sleeve 15 and is provided with radially disposed ears 20. These ears are bifurcated at their outer portion for reception of eye bolts 21 mounted, at their upper ends, in U-shaped stirrup 22 suitably secured to hull 1 adjacent the opening which receives the lower end of sleeve 15. Nuts 23 are screwed onto the bolts 21 and bear against the ears 20, the bolts and these nuts providing means, in conjunctionwith the cars 20, for forcing the follower 19 in= wardly of sleeve 15 and securing it in adjusted position.

Head 13 is provided, in its upper face, with an annular depression forming a track 24 concentric with sleeve 14- This track receives rollers 25 suitably mounted upon the under face of base plate 26 of a gun carriage 26. V

The plate 26 is provided with an upwardly extending neck 27. This neck is disposed in alignment with, but eccentrically to, a tubular spindle 28 which is rotatably mounted through bearing sleeve 14 and collar 17 and follower 19, this spindle being of greater diameterthan the neck 27 and extending into compartmenth of hull 1. Spindle 28 is provided, at its upper end, with an outer peripheral flange 29. The upper face of this flange is accurately finished and the under face of base plate 26", where it seats upon the flange, is accurately finished, the base plate and the flange being secured together by riveting or in any other suitable manner so as to form a fluid-tight joint capable of excluding water under high pressure. Obviously, a packing gasket or equivalent element can be interposed between the fiange 29 and base plate 26 if desired, though ordinarily this is not necessary.

The lower end 01 spindle 28'seats upon a plate 30 at the lower end of a cup shaped member 31 at the lower end of a support 32 of substantially inverted frusto-conical shape which is suitably secured, as by rivets, to the main deck of hull 1. The lower end of the-spindle 28 fits snugly into the member 31 and is effectively held therebyagainst any undersirable radial looseness or play. As

lower end portion of the spindle is cut to provide a great element 33 which projects through spaced openings 34 in member'3l. A worm shaft 35 is rotatably mounted in a hanger 36 suitably secured to hull 1 and carries a worm 37 which meshes withgear element 33. The shaft 35 is connected, by a suitable coupling 38, to shaft 39 of an electric motor 40 of suitable type which is secured to a hanger 41 riveted or otherwise suitably secured to the main deck of hull 1.

This motor is controlled by a switch S of known type which is illustrated as mounted upon one of the guns 42, though this switch may be disposed upon the gun carriage 26 or in any other suitable position. The switch S is connected to the motor 40 by, a cable. 43 which enters spindle 28 through a stutfing boX 44 extending through base plate 26 of the gun carriage 26. The cable passes through plate or head 30 and is connected to'a switch 45 of knowntype which is suitably supported from hanger 36. A lead 46'connects the switch 45 to the motor 40. The switch S at the trunk station includes a control lever L, this switch being of known type such that by proper manipulation of lever L, the motor 40 can be stopped and started and the spindle 18 can be turned in either direction desired. The switches S and 45 are suitably connected in a known manner so that, when the lever L of the switch S is in neutral position, the switch 45 may be used for controlling the motor circuit to turn the spindle 28 in desired direction. vObviously, if desired, in stead of providing the switch S, suitable means may be provided, operable from the gun station, for mechanically actuating a switch, such as the switch 45, in the compartand 27. This tube 48 projects a. short distance above the neck 27 and is suitably se cured in this neck'so as to form a fluid tight closure therewith, as by being shrunk into i the neck or secured therein inany other suitable manner. i

A removable closure member or cover 49 is hingedly mountedat the upper end of tube 48, a similar, cover 50 being provided at the lower end of the tube. These covers have associated therewith suitable dogs and cooperating means for securing the covers tightly closed upon the ends of the tube so as to form water tight and pressure resistant closures therefor. Normally the covers 49 and 50 are will be noted more clearly from Fig. 4, the

to c

closed so as to effectually prevent entry of water through the tube 48 into the compartment 5' when the boat is submerged. The spindle 28, in conjunction with the flange 29 and base plate 26, together with the connection between neck 27 and the upper end por tion of tube 48 and the stuffing box structure at the lower portion of the spindle, provides simple and efficient means for enclosing the ammunition tube and forming a watertight closure between the same and the hull.. By this construction, when the covers 49 and 50 are secured. in closed position, leakage of water into compartment 5 either through or about the ammunition tube, when the boat is submerged, is prevented.

T have illustrated two guns 42 mounted upon the carriage 26 by means of suitable base brackets 51 formed integrally with or suitably secured to the carriage 26. Each of these guns is provided with trunnions 52 disposed on ahorizontal axisand suitably mounted in the bracket for elevating or depressing the guns. The guns are elevated or depressed by known means (not shown), which need not be illustrated nor described in detail. These guns are disposed at opposite sides of and .equi-distant from the axis of spindle 28 and the recoil of each gun is counteractedby the recoil of the other gun so that thereis no tendency to turn the spindle when the guns are fired. Y

l Lil cent thereto, sufficieut space being left be;

tween the ammunition tube and. sleeve 54 to ing 56 disposed at right angles to opening 55 T and adjacent the upper end of the ammunition tube. lVith the covers 49 and 50 open,

ammunition may be passed from compartment upwardly through the spindle 28 by means of the ammunition tube 48 and this ammunition can be readily removed throughthe opening 55 for use in the guns 42. The guns illustrated are of relatively light caliber and use ammunition in the form of cartridges 57 which may be passed upwardly through the tube 48 from compartment in a suitable manner. I have illustrated a rod 58 provided at one end with a heador disc 59 ofa diameter to fit the interior'of tube 48, the cartridge 57 resting upon head 59 and being passed through the tube by means of the rod. The interior diameter of the tube corresponds approximately to the maximum exterior diameter of the cartridge which is passed through the tube. As this cartridge emerges from the upper end of the tube, it is, grasped by the gunner who inserts his arm through the opening 56.

The cartridge may then be removed by moving it straightupwardly through the opening 5501: by first moving the cartridge upwardly through the opening so as to clear the tube 48 and then withdrawing it through the opening 56 at an inclination, the diameterof the opening 'being sufficient topermit thecartridge to be disposed at a .sufficient inclination to be withdrawn through opening 56. While I have illustrated and described my invention as used for passing cartridges up.- ward'ly through the spindle of the gun mounting, I do not intend to in any way limit myself to this particular use since my invention is capable of being used for permitting ammunition and supplies o-f varioustypes for use with guns being passed iroma room or compartment to the gun station. It will also be obvious that means other thanthe rod illustrated may be used for passing the-amn'iuniti-on through the spindle of the gun mount and, in handling heavy ammunition and supplies, a hoist may be employed if desired. Myin-vention isparticularly adapted, however, for use in submarine boats where space is ata premium.

I also contemplate using my invention wi th a single gun suitably mounted upon the gun carriage. As above indicated, and as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, changes in construction and arrangement of parts of my invention may be resorted to without departing from the principle thereof,

and I intend to include all such variations, as fall within the scope of the appended claims, in this application in which the preferred form only of my invention is disclosed.

l/Vhat I claim is: 1. In combination, a rotatably mounted the spindle and mounted for turning movement therewith, said carriage having an opening aligned with the spindle for removal of ammunition passed through the spindle, and guns mounted on the carriage.

2. In combination, a rotatably mounted tubular spindle, a gun carriage secured to the spindle and mounted for turning movement therewith, said carriage having an opening aligned with the spindle for removal of ammunition passed through the spindle, and guns mounted on the carriage.

8. In combination in a. submarine boat, a rotatably mounted s indle passing through the hull into one of t e compartments thereof, means forming a water tight closure between the spindle and the hull, a gun carriage secured to the outer end of the spindle for turning movement therewith and forminga water tight closure with the outer-end ofthe spindle, an ammunition tube extending through the spindle, means forminga water tight closureabout the outer end of the-ammunition tube and between the latter and the outer end oithe spindle, and removable watertight closures for the ends of the am- 'munition tube, said carriage having an opendie and the hull, a gun carriage, an amn1unition tube extending through the spindle and opening into the compartment,means'cooperating with the outer end portion of-the tube for effecting a water tight closure of theouter end of the spindle, the guncarriagehaving an opening for removal from the tube of "ammunition passed therethrough and being secured by said closure means to the spindle for turning movement therewith, guns mounted on said carriage, and removable closures for the ends of the tube.

5. In combination in a submarinebo'a'h'a gun foundation fixedly mounted on the hull and provided at itsupperend with a bearing sleeve, a combined bearing'col l ar and stuffing box structure secured to-thehull in alignment with said sleeve, aftubul'ar spindle rotatably mounted through said structure and the sleeve and opening into a compartment in tubular spindle,a gun carriage secured to the hull, an ammunition tube extending end ofthe spindle between the same and the tube, the gun carriage having an opening for removal of ammunition from the tube, guns mounted on said carriage, and removable closures for the ends ofthetube.

6. In combination in a submarine boat, a gun foundation mounted on the hull and provided at its upper end with a bearing sleeve, a combined bearingcollar and stuffing box structure secured to the hull in alignment with said sleeve, tubular spindle rotatably mounted. through said, structure and the sleeve and opening into a compartment in the hull, the spindle having an outer p e 'ipheral flange-at its upper end, a gun carriage mounted on said foundation for turning movement and having a base plate seating upon and secured to said flange, said base plate having an upwardly extending neck aligned with the/spindle, an ammunition tube extending through the spindle and secured in said neclt, the gun carriage having an opening for removal of ammunition from the tube, guns mounted on said carriage, and removable closures for the ends of the tube.

7. In combination in a submarine boat, a gun foundation mounted on the hull and pro- ,vided at its upper end with a bearing sleeve, a combined bearing collar and stufiing box structure secured to the hull in alignment with said sleeve, a tubular spindle rotatably mounted through said structure and the sleeve and opening into a compartment in the hull, the spindle having an outer peripheral flange at its upper end, a gun can riage mounted on said foundation for turning movement and having a base plate seating upon and secured to said flange. said base plate having an, upwardly extending neck aligned with the spindle, an ammunition tube extending throughthe spindle and secured in said neck, the gun carriage having an opening for removal of ammunition from the tube, guns mounted on said carriage, removable closures for the ends of the tube, and

power means within the compartment and controlled from the gun station for turning the spindle in desired direction.

8. In combination in a submarine boat, a rotatably mounted spindle opening into a compartmentof the hull, a gun carriage secured to the outer end of the spindle for rotati on therewith, and a pair of guns mounted,

on the carriage at opposite sides of the axis of the spindle, said carriage having an opening aligned with the spindle for removal of ammunition passed through said spindle.

' 9. In combination in a submarine boat, a

gun foundation fixedly mounted on the hull,

a gun carriage mounted upon the foundation for relative turning movement, guns mounted 'in said carriage, a spindle secured to the carriage and v rotatably mounted through the hull and the gun foundation, a

combined bearing and, stuffing box structure forming a water tight closure between the spindle. and the hull, an ammunition tube extending through the spindle and secured at its upper end to the gun carriage, the lower end of the tubeextending inwardly of the hull-*beyond'the lower endrof the spindle, res movable coversfor the endsof the'tube, said carriage h aving an opening for removal of ammunition from said tube, and means for rotating said spindle.

the hull, the lowe-r endofthespindle being adjacent the top of said. compartment. an alnIIlUIlllllOII tube extendlng' through the spindle'andhaving a water tight connection therewith, said tube opening into said compartment through the lower end of the spindle, the carriage having an opening for removal of ammunition from the tube, removable covers for the ends of the tube,and means for rotating said spindle. I

11. In combination in a submarine boat, a gunfoundation fixedly mounted on the hull exteriorly thereof. a gun carriage mounted upon the foundation for'relative turning movement, "gunsmounted in said'carriage, a spindle secured to the carrlageand rotatably mounted through the hull and extending downwardly into a compartment within the hull," means forming a water tight closure between the spindle and the outerwall of the hull, the spindlebeing "of small diameter relative to the gun carnage, an ammunition tube extending through the spindle and hav-' ing a water tight connection therewith. the carriage having an opening for removal of ammunition from the tube, removable covers for the ends of the tube, and means for rotating said spindle.

12.-In combination in a submarine boat, a gun foundation fixedly mounted on the hull exteriorly thereof, a gun carriage mounted uponthe foundation for relative turning movement, guns mounted in said carriage. a spindle secured to the carriage and rotatably mounted through the hull and extending downwardly into a compartment within the hull, means forming a water tight closure between the spindle and the outer wall of the hull, and means for rotating said spindle.

18. In combination in a submarine boat, a gun foundation fixedly mounted on the hull exteriorly thereof, a gun carriage mounted upon the foundation for relative turning movement, guns mounted in said carriage, a spindle secured to the carriage and rotatably mounted through the hull and extending downwardly into a compartment within the hull, means forming a water tight closure between the spindle and the outer wall of the hull, an ammunition tube extending through the spindle and having water tight connection therewith, the tube opening into said oompartment and the gun carriage having an opening for removal of ammunition from the tube, removable closure means for the ends of the tube, the portion of the spindle beyond the hull being housed within the gun foundation, and means for rotating said spindle.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 8th day of August, 1928.

HUGO E. GRIESHABER. 

